Mercutio makes this remark when he is trying to convince Romeo to give up Rosaline, who does not return Romeo's love. Romeo has complained that love is painful and pricks like a thorn. In response, Mercutio says in the quote in the question that if love treats you badly, treat it badly. If love pricks you, prick it back, and then you'll defeat it.
The language in this quote is an insight into Mercutio's character because he uses violent words to describe love, showing that he is quickly moved to anger and violence. Later, Mercutio wants Romeo to have a duel with Tybalt, Juliet's cousin, who has challenged Romeo to a duel. Mercutio rushes into fighting with Tybalt first and dies as a result, and Romeo kills Tybalt in revenge. Mercutio is quick to anger, as this quote shows, and his anger results in worsening the feud between the Capulets and Montagues.
No comments:
Post a Comment